Supply shortages expected to disrupt Holiday shopping

BERLIN, Md. –  The holidays are still a couple of months away, but some vendors already struggling to build up inventory for the holiday rush.

Vendors here on Delmarva say the manufacturing slowdown abroad means popular items like toys, electronics, and board games are already on backorder. That means products could be months away if they arrive at all, making it unlikely certain items in high demand could arrive in time for the holidays.

World of Toys in Berlin tells us they stocked up over the summer, but they still couldn’t get everything customers wanted.

“People come in to find certain products and you can’t guarantee if it’s going to come in or if you’re going to have it at all and it makes life harder for us,” said World of Toys Owner Olga Kozhevnikova.

She tells us that items like HotWheels cars have been in particularly low supply, as well as certain board and collectible card games. Her best advice; to buy presents early to beat the holiday rush to get items while they are still in stock. Kozhevnikova tells us her business has actually seen a boost over the last two years, and she hopes to continue the trend if she can keep her shelves stocked this Halloween season.